Tool handle



Nov. 14, 1950 c, s, GATES 2,530,297

TOOL HANDLE Filed Nov. 12, 1947 y El 7 INVENTOR. flare/ace 5. Gazes v BY Ww Patented Nov. 14, 1950 TOOL HANDLE Clarence S. Gates, West Hartford, Conn., assignor to Allen Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application November 12, 1947, Serial No. 785,457

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to tool holders and more particularly to a holder or handle for a small blade, such as a small hexagonal rod adjustably positioned within the handle which may be advanced axially as the outer end becomes worn or broken.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a convenient, simple and inexpensive holder and handle for small screw drivers, small hexagonal wrenches for socket screws, and other noncircular forms frequently broken while in use.

A feature of importance is that the blade may have its principal portion retained within the handle and be extended axially therefrom to any convenient length.

And finally it is an object to provide a broached opening for the blade formed within a metal piece forming part of the handle, the axis of the opening and handle, including the metal piece, being co-axial.

With the above and other objects in view the invention includes the features of construction and operation set forth in the following specifica tion and illustrated in the accompanying draw- In the accompanying drawing annexed hereto and forming a part of this specification, I have shown the invention embodied in a handle for a hexagonal rod for tightening and loosening counter-sunk set screws, but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claim appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of a holder or handle made according to the present invention, the view being partly in section;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the handle shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is an outside view of the complete tool.

In the above mentioned drawing, there has been shown but one embodiment of the invention which is now deemed preferable, but it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be 'made within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Briefly, and in its preferred aspect, the invention may comprise: first a handle having an opening extending axially throughout its length; second, a metal end piece also having an opening extending axially therethrough, the forward end of which is broached to a non-circular section to fit the particular blade or tool inserted therein, and third, retaining means such as a transversely positioned set screw within the metal end piece and intercepting the opening within the metal end piece.

Referring more in detail to the figures of the drawing there is shown at H] a handle preferably formed of plastic or other mouldable material. Extending axially through the handle in is an opening I2. At the forward or tool end of the handle is a metal nose or end piece I4, the outer surface of which is conical at its forward end and which is provided with a longitudinally ribbed extension l6 moulded or driven into the handle I 0 as shown. This end piece [4 is formed integrally and has a central longitudinal opening l8 the forward or tool end of which is broached to a non-circular cross section to closely fit and prevent relative rotation of a tool 20 inserted within the handle Ill. As shown in Fig. 1 the opening [8 through the end piece M to the rear of the broached forward end is circular in cross section and somewhat larger in diameter than the broached forward end.

Inserted within the central openings and closely fitting the broached opening within the end piece is a blade or rod 29, the one shown being hexagonal in cross section. To retain the blade or rod 20 in position a transversely positioned set screw 22 is threaded into the end piece [4 to bear against the surface of the blade 20. Any length blade 20 may be employed and may extend into the opening I2 within the handle II].

I claim:

A plastic handle for a rotatable hand tool having an integral end piece moulded thereto, said handle and end piece being secured in fixed position to each other and. having co-axial openings extending therethrough to form a central longitudinal opening through the handle, said opening within said end piece having a noncircular cross-section for a portion of its length, the remainder of its length adjacent its outer end being circular in cross-section and slightly larger in diameter than the non-circular section, and a transverse set screw within the circular crosssectional portion of said end piece, whereby a blade closely but slidably fitting said non-circular cross-section may be secured in any axially adjusted position within said handle.

CLARENCE S. GATES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 985,934 Probst Mar. 7, 1911 2,262,540 Stone Nov. 11, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 531,392 France Oct. 21, 1921 

